TV

Not So Funny: Christian Group Wants Cedric The Entertainer’s “The Soul Man” Canceled

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Is TV Land’s “The Soul Man” blasphemeth? A Christian conservative watchdog group called One Million Moms sure thinks the Cedric The Entertainer and Niecy Nash fronted sitcom is!

The 30 minute comedy, which became TV Land’s second-highest rated series premiere behind only the series launch of “Hot In Cleveland” with its June 20th premiere, “blasphemes the name of Jesus Christ and mocks pastors as well” according to One Million Moms.

“The Soul Man” is a spin-off of a character Cedric The Entertainer first played on “Hot in Cleveland” named Reverend Boyce “The Voice” Ballentine – a fictitious R&B superstar who trades in soul music for saving souls as pastor of his father’s church. Rev. Ballentine moves back home to St. Louis with his family and they’re all trying adapt to the transition between his new calling to pastor and his former life as a music superstar.

Despite “The Soul Man” being billed a family comedy, One Million Moms declares on its website: “The word family is used loosely since the program focuses on one family but is far from family-friendly programming.”

Niecy Nash & Cedric the Entertainer (Photo: TV Land)

One Million Moms posted a list of grievances they have with “The Soul Man” on their website – among them Nash’s character, first lady Lolli’s affinity for cleavage-baring, form-fitting dresses. Read One Million Moms’ other issues with “The Soul Man” below:

> Pastor’s brother and father use foul language and the father is a retired preacher whose uses the excuse he isn’t a minster anymore.

> Lolli (the wife played by Niecy Nash) tells Boyce, “Lack of booty makes you moody!” and “Women’s parts start percolating when husband does chores.”

> Boyce and Lolli sing “I want to have Sex with You” together at home and also played when they role the credits. A piece of the lyrics “I want to have sex with you… in the kitchen, in the bathroom… sitting down, standing up.”

> Some hear the over-the-top jokes and laugh, but believe the underlying message remains positive enough to give the show a pass. But other, more conservative viewers, are turned off by crass humor.

TV Land offered a “no comment” when contacted by AlwaysAList.comfor a statement.

“The Soul Man” also stars Wesley Jonathan (“What I Like About You”), John Beasley (“Everwood”) and Jazz Raycole (“My Wife and Kids”). The sitcom, which airs on Wednesdays at 10 p.m., has featured a bevy of guest stars like Sherri Shepherd (“The View”), Kim Coles (“Are You Normal, America?”), Tamala Jones (“Castle”), Yvette Nicole Brown (“Community”) and reality stars Trina and Tamar Braxton (“Braxton Family Values”).

Yes, a conservative Christian would see it different than a liberal Christian. They have those “Old landmark” values that keep Christians more sober, if you will. We know that in 2012 (and beyond) anything goes. But, the things pertaining to God, Jesus Christ, we must keep sacred.

However, that brings up the issue of the Christian church and its own ethical issues. For example, those in leadership must focus more on righteousness, justice, and truth, and not compromise with the ways of the world. We have to talk and walk in an ethical manner, thus not to invite entities to disregard the sacredness and holiness of God and Jesus Christ.

I understand the complaint. However, I have a different take on the show. While I do not appreciate the show’s sexual content being billed as a family show, I do not think that the show should be removed from television, because it is simply mimicking what is happening in REAL LIFE. I am a child of God through the acceptance of Jesus as the Son of God and the Saviour of the world and contrary to popular belief, I can still be OBJECTIVE AND HONEST; that being said…the fact of the matter is, these so-called “christians” shouldn’t have a problem with this TV show, but rather the REAL LIFE hypocrites, because from what I can see, this is merely a case of art IMITATING reality!

I do agree that Neicy Nashes character dresses more like she’s going to the club EVERYDAY and not like she’s a pastors wife. She shows entirely too much cleavage and her clothes are VERY tight. She is does need to tone that down.

I love the show; I view it as a family in transition. At times it seems a little ‘over the top’ but I don’t see how cancelling the show would help anything. After all it’s just a TV show….meanwhile in real life we have Basketball wives and Mob wives screaming and living excessively as well as we have Catholic priests on trial and mega-church ministers stories abouty preying on young boys. I’d like the conservative Christians to spend their time “cancelling” that!

I would like to say that our magazine had the opportunity to do a tele-conference interview with the cast of The Soul Man and I must come to their defence on this one. We all are entitled to the way we feel but Cedric, Neecy as well as the others made it clear that they were not in any way mocking God or the leaders. Their number one goal was to bring a show that has values and that everyone in the family would be able to watch. Now we must also realize that this is ENTERTAINMENT and television and these people are not professing to be the savior or holyier than though. What I am saying is that if we dont like what is on television then turn the channell there are far more REALITY shows that need to be petitioned for cancellation. I will continue to support and watch the show as it brings laughter to my day……And by the way I am a pastor’s wife and a preacher myself and it does not offend me because I know that they are fictational characters! Be blessed!

I am an African-American who is also a Pastor’s Wife. More importantly, I’m a Woman of God who LOVES the Lord and my fellow Sisters and Brothers in Christ. However, I am so ABSOLUTELY sick of self-righteous “Christians” who judge every action of a person, thing or situation that they disagree with. No, I’m not talking about those ungodly acts that God abhors, therefore, we should too. No, I’m talking about judging things such as this wonderful TV-land show, The Soul Man. Yes, some things are “over-the-top” for humor and entertainment sake. Who wants to watch a boring show? As a Pastor’s Wife married to a “newly reformed and forgiven bad boy” I can assure you that my Husband and I act JUST like Lolli and Boyce, so much so, it’s uncanny. Lolli and Boyce weren’t at the club dancing and singing “I Wanna Have Sex Witchu,” they were in the privacy of their own home. When my Husband and I sing to and dance with each other (stop the HOLY presses, yes we do), it SURELY ain’t to Shirley Ceasar. I’ve been known to show a little bit more cleavage than, I’m sure, the One Million Moms or the Missionary Board would approve of. I guess my Husband and I whipping every opponent who sits at a Spades table with us, would surely condemn us to hell in many Christians’ eyes (especially my own Mother’s). And let’s face it, lack of booty makes most men moody, even the Christian ones. Whaaat?!!! I could go on about the similarities between my marriage and that of Lolli’s and Boyces’ but that’s not the point of this message. My point is, we are not all “Stepford” Christians who look, dress and act just alike. Many of us are at various stages of our spiritual maturity and, as is the premise of the show, Lolli and Boyce are at the genesis of theirs. Tvland, Niecy Nash and Cedric, thank you for showing positive television, especially featuring African-Americans, who are Christians as well. One Million Moms, I respectfully disagree, as Christians should be able to do. See how that works?

Ah, phooey. I’m a conservative Christian and I like this show. Why? It’s entertainment, folks, and that’s it. Furthermore, some of the best pastors I’ve known were very “worldly” once upon a time and reformed. They tend to be easy to relate to, compassionate and have relevant life lessons to pass on to their congregations. Some of those traits come through in Cedric the Entertainer’s character, indeed.

If you don’t like it, don’t watch it. However, I’ve not found this show offensive (for the most part) and will be interested in watching it develop.

I’m not an “uppity” Christian. We do not watch the show, but I do watch TV Land’s other programming with my kids, where appropriate. I do object to the constant promo with the big boobed girl’s cleavage saying “lack of booty makes you moody” in front of my kids. Find a ‘cleaner’ part of the show to promo, if there are any please.

You watch other TV Land shows with your kids and yet this is the only one you have a problem with? Do you pay attention to any of the other shows on that network? They ALL have some kind of sexual content!

I am a Christian the way that Niecy Nash dress is the same way that some the womens in the church wear.So why are they making a such a big deal about it.If they are real Christian they should no that all you see in the breast,legs and thigh like going a scip club when you go to these churches.So why complainting about The Soul Man show.If you don’t complaint the way that some women dress coming to the house of the Lord.Maybe TVLand is trying to show us the real side of the church.

We don’t have any shows like this I find it very fun and funny!! We are watching a comedy.I don’t believe that the Lord would want us walking around like we been sucking on lemons all our life. Do Pastors and Pastor wives not suppose to dance or be intimate with each other? The show Is about a man who was a entertainer becoming a pastor now who can walk that talk better than a person who’s been there?? That’s where the real learning of how to be a better person comes from!! As far as cleavage and tight fitted goes,women that have a great amount of breast and hips it’s gonna show no matter what they put on!!! These are Curvy Sexy Women get over it stop trying to Judge You don’t Have That Power!!Furthermore Don’t watch the show ! I will continue to watch,tape and rewatch this show since we have so many Holier Than Thou’s and Plain Jane’s out here PRETENDING THEY DON’T Dance,Have Sex,Or Have A Drink!! Shame On all Of You!!!!! I recall A Show where pastor Bryce went into the bar to try to keep one of his members from drinking that he had just began counseling even though he went into a bar was that A Sin Trying to help?? Like I said earlier YOU HAVE TO WALK THAT WALK TO TALK THAT TALK!!!!
Keep This show on TV LAND !! WE HAVE A LOT OF Hypocritical People With No Humor!!!!!!

Seems to me that if some goofball sitcom is all One Million Moms can find to complain about in today’s world, they aren’t paying attention. Maybe they should swoop down on one of those megachurches where the pastor’s been accused of molesting little boys or beating his daughter and do something about that. Or do they not deal with real world issues?

To me this show is blasphemy because some of this stuff does not line up with the Word, and people on here who defend this show who are Christians should know better than to defend it probably the same ones who defend tyler perry’s shows where he blasphemes against the Word of God. I might be black but I will not be caught agreeing with them and their silly shows. That’s why the Word says there is a way that seemeth right unto a man but the end there of is destruction and that a man is clean in his own eyes.

The show sucks. Makes Black Christians look like a bunch of buffoons. Minstrel is bad enough, now we have to see through church folks? Black people need to wake up. There is nothing Christ like or even remotely entertaining about that show. Speaks directly to the maturity level of the show’s audience.

Personally, I don’t see how any spirit filled Christian would tolerate that non-sense. Cedric is a carnal jack-azz of a preacher and his wife wants to be a sexy Diva. For non-Christians anything goes, but for folks who are supposed to be following Christ, surely you can find a better use of your time.

One think I can’t understand is how a channel like TV land which cater to older audiences can market Hot in Cleveland and Soul Man. Both of those shows stink worse than dirty diapers but are popular for some reason. Oh, well.

The MUTE button is my best friend when it comes to watching any TV shows anyway.

Cancelling the show is not an answer. There will always be an audience for garbage. Flip the channel when the show is on or mute the commercials when they come on during other likeable and decent TV Land programming.

Speaking from Christian perspective, I watched the show’s debut and haven’t watched it since, because I was offended. However, I used my choice to not watch the show, which is effective enough for me. To the Million Moms group: If you object in the name of the Christian faith, “This world is not your home.” So demanding the show be cancelled is a futile effort. Especially if it’s successful for the network. If you’re offended by the mockery of Christians in popular culture, it’s going to get worse before it gets better, so deal with it and let YOUR light shine. There are too many TV shows that mock Christians and it’s not a biblical mandate to go after them. It’s also impossible. Use your energies to follow the biblical mandate and “make disciples!”

I personally love this show and although Loli does not dress as a first lady should their relationship is not a problem they are married and should be able to sing i wanna have sex with you. I hope they keep it around because i get some good laughs from it.

People need to stop being so uptight. If you don’t like the show then don’t watch it. It’s obviously a great show, it is #2. The people that are complaining are probably upset because they see themselves on television. There are plenty of other shows to watch, use your remote and turn the station. People are so judgemental sometimes that it’s ridiculous. The Bible says NOTHING about how a “first lady” should dress. Jealous because your first lady doesn’t look like that? It’s time out for playing church and trying to rewrite the rules of the Bible and getting upset when people don’t line up with “YOUR” interpretation.. I’m done!! Carry On!

If Jesus was in the flesh today he would probably nail himself on the cross just to escape the hypocrisy in Christianity. To the million SELF RIGHTEOUS moms do us and Jesus a favor and try LOVE on for size. That was what the bible and Jesus was all about. You know why Jesus hung with murderers and thieves? Because he could not stand to be in the company of the Pharisees and the Sadducees a.k.a A Million Moms and other judge mental hypocrites. Ladies do yourself a favor and leave these ENTERTAINERS and this network alone and try giving your husbands a little more BOOTY! That way YOU won’t be so moody and sit around watching TV bored and unsatisfied looking for someone to judge. Get the PLANK out of your eye, get your lazy bums off the couch, go out and preach and teach the gospel. THAT is what JESUS would do!
P.S. I guess Im going to hell, because I LOVE the show and don’t think they should change a thing!!!